Though this portrait of Charles Mowery has become faded and dirty with time, we can still make out a few details: his serious little face, ruffled collar, tasseled cap, walking stick, and the faux tree stump he perches on.
Charles Peter Mowery was born in Salt Creek Township, Pickaway County, Ohio, on October 15th, 1889. He was the youngest of Sarah Elizabeth Myers and Harvey Allen Mowery's children and had two older siblings, Nadie Rea and Willis Ferdinand. Their father was a farmer, as well as the superintendent of the Tarleton Sunday School and a church trustee.
In 1910, 20-year-old Charles was living with his parents and working odd jobs. In 1917, he married Arista Mae Riffle. Charles's WWI draft card from that same year describes him as being of medium height and medium build with black (or dark brown) eyes and black hair. He worked as a farmer and later went on to become a county road foreman. The couple had two children, Charles Jr. and Joan Mae.
Charles Jr. became a staff sergeant in the Headquarters Detachment of the 37th Division at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, and during WWII, served overseas. Newspaper articles give a glimpse into the anxiety felt by the families of those serving in the war. In December 1942, The Circleville Herald reported that a special program was held in Cincinnati where families could hear recorded messages from men in the 37th division. Charles Sr., Arista, their daughter, Joan, and Charles Jr.'s wife were all in attendance to hear Charles's voice for the first time in months. Charles Jr. survived the war and lived to the age of 88.
Charles Sr. was superintendent of Forest Cemetery in Circleville, Ohio until his retirement. Arista passed away in 1971, and Charles followed her the next year. They were both laid to rest in the same cemetery Charles had cared for.
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